Obituaries

Aug 23, 2023

Mark Raymond Phillips, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, dog-lover, storyteller, public servant, strategic thinker, compassionate leader, economic and community developer and friend peacefully passed away in his sleep on August 23, 2023 at his home on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota, after spending the day enveloped in the love and caring support of his...

Aug 20, 2023

Shawn Anthony Gerulli, age 48, of Biwabik, passed away unexpectedly, doing what he was most passionate of: Dirt Bike Racing, on Sunday, August 20, 2023.  He was born in love to his parents: Sonny and Robin (Haavisto) Gerulli on July 13, 1975 in Virginia, MN.  He was baptized at the Methodist church in Virginia, MN.

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Aug 16, 2023

David Conrad Ridgeway, age 69, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at The Emeralds in Grand Rapids, MN, due to complications from cancer.  He was born September 18, 1953, in Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada, the son of David and Marina (Margetts) Ridgeway.  While growing up he and his family lived in several states, and then...

Aug 3, 2023

Shelita Renee Tate, age 34, of Hibbing and formerly of Marysville, CA, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 3, 2023, in her home.  She was born February 9, 1989, in Frankfurt, Germany, the daughter of Tara Tate and Kelvin Freeman.  She was a High School Graduate and went on to complete some College courses.

Shelita was a...

Aug 3, 2023

Martin Chupurdia, age 84, longtime resident of Hibbing died peacefully on August 2nd surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 21, 1939 in Hibbing the son of Sam and Betty (Pasich) Chupurdia.

He was a graduate of Hibbing High School, and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. He also served in the United...

Jul 22, 2023

James Anthony "Jim" Planton, age 76 of Soudan died Saturday, July 22, 2023 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born September 27, 1946 in Virginia, the son of Anthony and Rose (Mertel) Planton, attended Tower- Soudan high school, Mesabi Community College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Bemidji State University. Jim married...

Jul 12, 2023

Rex Spencer Weatherstone, age 77, of Hoyt Lakes, MN passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Rex was born in Breckenridge, MN on April 17, 1946 to Spencer and Glendora Weatherstone.  He was a Rosholt High graduate of 1964 and went on to attend SDSU.  He retired as a...

Jul 12, 2023

David Scott Akerson, age 73, of Tower, passed away after a difficult battle with COPD on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at his home.

David was born on December 31, 1949 in Willmar, MN to Russell and Glenda (Johnson) Akerson.  David left high school at the age of 17 to join the United States Army.  He...

Jun 30, 2023

Charles Patrick McCauley, age 72, lifelong resident of Hibbing, died Friday, June 30, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth following a battle with cancer.  He was born November 21, 1950, in Hibbing the son of Bernard and Viola (Brekke) McCauley.   He was a graduate of Hibbing High School, and went on to attend the University of...

Jun 29, 2023

Bradley Andrew Salminen, age 35, longtime resident of Hibbing and Virginia died Friday, June 29, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  He was born January 24, 1988, in Hibbing the son of Terry and Deidre (Foster) Salminen.  He was a graduate of Hibbing High School.

Brad worked as a cook in several local restaurants. ...

Jun 24, 2023

Ralph L. Friesner, age 62, longtime resident of Embarrass and formerly of Tower, MN, died Saturday, June 24, 2023, in an automobile accident near his home.  He was born May 29, 1961, in Aurora, MN, the son of Harry and Edna (Story) Friesner.  He was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School.

Ralph worked as a...

Jun 18, 2023

Shirley Mildred Aronen, age 92 of Mountain Iron went to her forever home to be with the Lord died Sunday, June 18, 2023 in the Edgewood Vista Senior Living Center. She was born on September 21, 1930 in Ely, MN the daughter of John and Ina (Maki) Saarela. Mildred was united in marriage to Hugo Willard Aronen...

Jun 17, 2023

Austyn Jayce Feltus, age 4, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023, as the result of injuries he sustained in an ATV accident.  He was born December 10, 2018, in Virginia, MN, the son of Nicole Bingham and Jesse Feltus.

Austyn was a loving, happy and energetic little boy who loved to be outside with his...

Jun 14, 2023

Gerald Edward Wallner, age 87, of Virginia and formerly of Bruno, MN, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Essentia Health, Virginia Hospital.  He was born June 22, 1935, in Bruno, MN, the son of Edwin and Adeline (Domning) Wallner.  Gerald attended Bruno High School and later completed his GED.  He was a Veteran of the US...

Jun 12, 2023

David Devyak, age 83, longtime resident of Chisholm, MN and formerly of Yuma, AZ, died Monday, June 12, 2023, at Heritage Manor in Chisholm.  He was born June 4, 1940, in Chisholm, the son of George and Amelia (Malkovich) Devyak.  He was a graduate of Chisholm High School and UMD.  He was a Veteran of the US...

Jun 9, 2023

Barbara "Barb" Lynn Johnson was a partner, sister, aunt, and a friend to many people.  She passed away on June 9, 2023, at the age of 64, in Louisville, Colorado.  She was born on April 11, 1959, in Virginia, Minnesota.  Barb chased her dreams of photography and travel after graduating from High School in 1977. She attended...

Jun 8, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Jeanette Meinzer announces her passing at the age of 90 years.  Jeanette passed peacefully at home on June 8, 2023.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Susan Bergeson (Steve), Steven Meinzer (Pat), Lori Grumdahl (Jeff), and John Meinzer (Char).

Grandchildren: Ryan Weiss,...

Jun 6, 2023

Earl Eugene Fisher was born on October 12th, 1931, in Virginia MN.  He passed peacefully, on June 6, 2023, at his home.   His parents were Myrtle and William A. Fisher.

Earl graduated from Grinnell College.  While in college he travelled to Europe as an exchange student.  There was a meager allowance, but he experienced a...

Jun 1, 2023

Susan Marie Chicag, age 41, longtime resident of Duluth, died Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.  She was born August 7, 1981, in Virginia, MN, the daughter of Faron and Phyliss (Sam) Chicag.  She was a graduate of Albrook High School and went on to attend Lake Superior College.

Susan...

May 29, 2023

Frank L. Fabish, age 77 of Buhl, died Monday, May 29, 2023 surrounded by his family at St. Luke's Hospice in Duluth.  He was born on August 26, 1945 in Virginia, the son of Frank Fabish, Sr. and Amelia Schuster Fabish.  He married Peggy Hadersbeck on July 13, 1968 in Virginia. Frank was a graduate of the...